Pressroom
Who we are
We are a group of Liberians seeking to produce a quality and dependable national and regional news outlet that will provide the general public with information they need to be free and self-governing. We owe no obligation to any interest group, society, etc. Our loyalty is to our readers. As such, we determine to vigorously champion the cardinal principles of truth, fair play, and justice.
To realize these objectives, we purpose to focus on the economy, the democratic process, and institutions of democracy, health, education, law, international events, commentaries, sports, public policies, arts and couture, fashion and lifestyle, business, trade, and investment, etc., etc. We hasten to point out that the views and opinions expressed by our numerous writers and commentators do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Atlantic Champion News.
They are their individual views and opinions. But we urge and encourage all those who disagree or feel strongly about any views and opinions expressed on our pages to please write to the editor and express their views and opinions or their side of the story. We stand ready to publish those materials provided they are void of personal attacks and offensive language. We thank you in advance.
Also, like other independent media organizations, ACN depends on advertising revenue and donations to at least cover its basic operational costs. And unlike them, we haven’t put up a pay-wall; we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. It is our way of helping to create a more democratic space for the media to be available for all and not a commodity to be purchased by a few. We are doing this because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.
This is why we are asking you to advertise/donate to ACN whatever and whenever you can to help us continue with this sacred duty to Liberia, Africa, and beyond. We suppose that if we can help others with fewer means to access information and if everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future will be much more secure.
Our Mission & Vision
ACN seeks to discover and report the truth as decently and respectfully as possible.
Atlantic Champion News owes no allegiance to any political party, ethnic community, religious, or other interest groups, but is primarily committed to reporting and analyzing nothing but the truth and while promoting the best interests of Liberia, and the African region at large.
ACN is dedicated to the advancement of the integrity and sovereignty of Liberia, and Africa.
Starting first as an online publication, ACN will subsequently produce a weekly version of the online newspaper, committed to the best traditions and ideals of our democracy. We believe that it is the responsibility of the state not only to protect and defend the citizen but also to create the conditions, political, social, economic, and cultural, in which all citizens may achieve their highest potential as human beings. We will be committed to the principle of individual freedom, believing that all citizens have duties as well as rights. We, therefore encourage Liberians to strive to their own highest ideals and make themselves the starting point of that change they pontificate and pray about. Without apologies, we will look out for the underdogs to ensure that there is a level of justice and fairness for them in a very unjust and unfair society.
This, in our opinion, is basically what journalism at its best does, all other things held constant.
We will always uphold the need for justice, probity in public life, equal access to the nation’s resources, and equal protection under the laws of our country. We will also serve as an independent monitor of power and holding those entrusted with its exercise responsible. Liberia is a legitimate member of the international community, but can best fulfill her international obligations only if her security and integrity are assured. With the famous remarks by Galileo Galilei, the Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them,” we strongly believe that in a time of universal deceit and lies such as we currently find in our country, telling the truth could be a revolutionary act. We, therefore, implore our readers to be part of this mission in a country that is blessed by God but cursed with bad leaders, and is facing a big choice: we can either roll up our sleeves and do what’s needed to overcome the excesses of our political leaders and adapt to the demands of the 21st century or we can just keep limping into the future.
It is our hope and prayer that our politicians will rise to the challenge by putting forth fair and credible recovery proposals that match the scale of our economic, political and social problems.
While we accuse our military leaders and warlords of leaving behind a political morass and socio-economic mess, cronyism, mismanagement, and corruption, our elected civilian leaders – even in the face of anti-graft agency – continue to steal, smuggle and speculate; accumulating vast illicit fortunes and displaying them lavishly in stunning disregard for public sensitivities. Indeed greedy and depraved politicians see politics as the most direct way of securing wealth and social standing. As a result, post-war Liberia has become an orgy of power being turned into profit.
When founded in 1847, it was thought that Liberia would have been a country of equal men and women who should have come together for a common goal; but the tiny West African nation of 4,092,310 people which borders the North Atlantic Ocean, and lies between Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire has turned out to be a place where people are divided along religious, ethnic and political lines.
Our Pledge and Commitment to You
Atlantic Champion News, an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence, relishes its appearance on the newsstands. This online edition, the print version follows as soon as possible, is operated and owned by the Primus Media Group. The editorial board is committed to delivering accurate and impartial news designed to generate public debate and allow Liberians and other nationals outside Liberia to make informed decisions.
Our pledge and commitment to you is to seek the truth, deliver the facts and offer relevant context and analysis were necessary for many countries, especially Liberia which is trending in a dangerous path – the high level of debauchery, illegal wealth grabbing mentality at the expense of impoverished people, rampant corrupt acts, injustices, and disunity must convince everyone that a resort to these vices for political objectives is not only destructive but also defeating. Dishonest means for political power only give us dishonest leaders.
We have endured too many corrupt acts to contemplate further corrupt acts in our search for development, stability, and socio-economic development – vices that have sparked anger and violence leading to catastrophic consequences. But the resilience shown by Liberians gives us the hope that they are not prepared to erect new pillars of another mindless and crude dictatorship after a decade-long self-destructive war in the name of democracy.
Some countries deserve the type of leadership they have. The signs are that Liberians are gradually shaking off the yoke of dictatorship and prepared to fight any greedy and corrupt political bureaucracy. We are glad to be on the newsstands with avowed zeal and commitment to promoting a democratic and accountable leadership. We pledge that we will do our utmost to promote and protect the sacred tenets of democracy, which, above all, will bring true and lasting peace and prosperity to Liberia.
We welcome our advertisers – our main sources of revenue and support – to advertise with us and be sure of value for your money. We are committed to fostering good working relations with you and look forward to a close cordial working relationship. As we embark on this experiment in the exercise of our rights under the Constitution, we see hopes for Liberia and other countries not because we are naïve enough to trust the goodwill of men, but because of the new global power structure and our collective desire to demonstrate a high level of patriotism and be able to say No! to dictatorship and greed. More than ever, the world has become a borderless global village. The global economic and political dimension now demands that democratically elected leaders should conform to internationally accepted norms or be demonized.
Because the political-economic demonization can be debilitating, the options for dictatorship are being narrowed. But the media and other civil society organizations should be more and more vigilant, knowing when to tell the difference between rhetoric and reality. It is imperative under our democracy to submit to the will of the people, however much one may disagree with the wisdom of the majority at all times. In our optimism for a better and more humane Liberia, we are hopeful that the relationship between the independent press and the state will improve because it is our collective interest to create an environment for economic recovery and growth. There can be no greater incentive or public relations to investors other than a safe, peaceful, and stable environment in which law and order reign supreme.
Like other countries again, Liberia is at dangerous crossroads – with little or no serious efforts to improve the economy. No grandstanding or chest-beating will solve the biting socio-economic problems facing the country.
The thing they call the International Community is an amorphous entity, and only societies resilient enough to ensure development-oriented institutions and individuals will survive and attract much-needed capital to create jobs for the improvement of socioeconomic conditions. The old concept of politics and political leadership known in this country for centuries must change for the better. There can be no more Tubman, Tolbert, Doe, Taylor, Johnson-Sirleaf.
As we attempt another experiment towards independent thoughts, we are also worried that although little progress has been made in some areas, words have not matched deeds. Despite presidential assurances that Liberians can no longer be spectators of their economy, the contrary is prevailing with the massive award of lucrative contracts to foreigners, placing a serious dent in the sincerity of the current leadership.
The belief that political authority or power gives one the right to suppress others is still part and parcel of our political psyche. Even though many of those today at the helm of power were themselves, political activists, against an all-powerful and unquestionable political machinery, this trend continues.
It is our collective responsibility to fight this cancer that continues to eat up and kill a political system with disastrous consequences for the people.
We say welcome. Together, let us ensure responsible, accountable, and humane governments. Similarly, together, let us give a covenant against stealing – a tool that erects the foundation for the attainment of political and personal economic objectives.
We will strive to ensure that our tone is non-judgmental but objective and fair. In all cases, we will seek to include all relevant opinions and ensure that no significant strand of thought is neglected.
We will endeavor to dig where others don’t, give voice to the voiceless, shine a light in dark places, scrutinize the executive, and hold the powerful to account – all on behalf of you, our audience, who we aim to serve with integrity offering journalism that is professional, credible, reliable, trustworthy, dependable and transparent.
For Liberia, we desire to create a conversation with Liberians about the issues that matter and encourage maximum participation so that our output reflects as diverse a range of perspectives as possible. In so doing we hope to be part of the process of national healing, nation-building, reconciliation, and reconstruction.
We aim to be a listening media organization that deals with and reflects the issues that most concern those we serve. We want to help fellow Liberians to talk to one another without fear or favor and, through robust engagement, help ensure a tolerant society by encouraging the celebration of our diversity.
Our online sites – as we said our print version will follow later – are there to offer a canvas for Liberians and other nationals in other countries to showcase their best ideas to help transform the country into a knowledge-based society where citizens are free to express their creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship.
We have set ourselves challenging objectives but we believe that only by striving to achieve the highest can we elevate ourselves above the elements which tend to hold our country back.
However, if you see anything online or in subsequent print where you feel we may have failed to deliver on the pledges set out above, and where we may have failed on issues such as tone, impartiality, objectivity, and fairness, please let us know by using our Contact Us form. We are here to listen and improve.